Polish Candor for Europe
December 11 | Posted by mrossol | American Thought, RussiaThe least I can say is that my father was born in Poland. I am fortunate.
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‘Who do I call if I want to call Europe?” Henry Kissinger once asked. After Monday’s changing of the guard atop the EU, there’s Donald Tusk.
The new president of the European Council, a group of the leaders of EU member states, brings a clear-eyed geopolitical and economic perspective to Brussels. During his seven years as prime minister, Poland was the only economy in the 28-nation block to avoid recession. Mr. Tusk was the most successful European politician of the past decade besides his close ally, German Chancellor Angela Merkel .
As a Pole who grew up in politics through the anti-Communist Solidarity movement, Mr. Tusk hasn’t forgotten Europe’s recent dalliances with repression. “The threats” to the EU come from inside and outside, said Mr. Tusk in remarks Monday taking the EU post. “Not only are euroskeptics questioning the EU’s value, the Union has enemies. Politics has returned to Europe. History is back. And such times need leadership and political unity.”
Mr Tusk didn’t mention Vladimir Putin by name, but his meaning was obvious. He also said that “Europe has to secure its borders and support those in the neighborhood who share our values.” Six months ago, Russia breached the borders of Ukraine, whose people elected leaders promising to take their nation into Europe and out of the Putin sphere of corrupt authoritarianism. Russia occupies Crimea and swathes of eastern Ukraine.
On another refreshing note, Mr. Tusk said that “relations between Europe and the United States are the backbone of the community of democracies.” This is a rebuke to the anti-Americanism that is re-emerging on the European right and left.
Europe faces “difficult times” ahead, as President Tusk said. At least it has a leader who seems to see clearly the dangers.
Polish Candor for Europe – WSJ.
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